LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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PRESENTED 



D BY/ ' 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



ADDRESS 

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AT THE BUKIAI> 8ERVICEB OF THE LATE 



SEORaE SIBBALD WILSON, I 



ADJUTANT OF THE 17TH EEOT. N. Y. S. V., 



|tt St. |att4's €\utc\, 



POUGHKEEPSIE. 



BY REV. A. D. TRAVER, D. D., 

RECTOR OF ST. PAUl's CHUReH. 



PRINTED BY KKyUKST- 



OSBORNE & OTIS, PRINTKKS, 

1863. 






George S. Wilson, Adjutant of the 17th Reg't N. Y. 
S. v., having been wounded at Fredericksburg, died, after 
several weeks' illness, in the Seminary Hospital, George- 
town, D. C, February 7th, 1863, aged 24 years. 

His remains having been brought to Poughkeepsie, the 
customary Burial services were held, Feb'y 12th, in St. 
Paul's Church, Rev. J, C. Richmond, Chaplain U. S. A., 
Washington, D. C, conducting the services, and tlie Rector 
of St. Paul's making the Address. Services at the grave 
by Rev. Dr. Buel, of Christ Church. 



ADDRESS 



I wish to say a few words to those wlio have assembled 
on the present occasion. And few they must be as coming 
from me, prudence on my own part requiring it. Few, 
too, I would perhaps make them, as having regard to what 
are supposed to be the feelings of tliose who naturally are 
most interested in the present solemn service, and whose 
feelings should be respected. 

We have assembled, then, on what for this Church is a 
peculiar occasion. Not, that this is the first Burial service 
ever here held. Not, that we have never before borne any 
away from hence to the last — we may say, the only — rest- 
ing place that this earth can give to those for whom its 
conflicts, and the battles of their life, are ended. We have 
thus borne hence, or from among us, many, — the young 
and the old, — those, upon whom life had just opened ; 
those, for whom, through length of days, it naturally closed; 
and those, to whom health and strength and manhood 
promised a successful career, *'in that state of life unto 
which it had pleased God to call them." It is no new 
thing for mortals to die. We have not been taught only 
to-day, that "in the midst of life we are in death." We 
liave not been taught only to-day to ask, Who next? 
whether in the natui-al course of things, or through some 
special and sudden visitation ; or, to consider the great 
importance of being ready for our summons hence. 

What, then, is it, that distinguishes the present from 
many another and similar occasion ? 

For a long time as it seems to us, though short as com- 
])ared with the world's troubled histories, and even with 
our own in the past of this land, our country has, through 
the rebellion of some of its people, been involved in an 
unnatural strife. We have had "wars and rumors of wars,"' 
within our borders. Contrary to the expectations of many, 
and the hopes of probably more, the end is not yet. Such 
expectations have been largely, if not altogether, frustrated, 
and "hopes deferred raakei the heart sick."' To what 



special or secondary causes, controlled by an over-ruling 
Providence as designine; to discipline us for past want of 
uprightness and upright dealing between man and man in 
domestic, social, civil and political life, and for forgetfulness 
of Grod, tliis delay is strictly owing, it is not for me, as it is 
unnecessary now and here, to determine. Enough, that 
such is the fact. The war is not ended. 

Accordingly, our countiy has called for our armed men, 
and has had them largely oflered and enrolled for its ser- 
vice. Youths and men have gone, whose heads and hands 
at home, em])loyed in the arts of peace, might have been 
the stay of their families, or whose presence would have 
contributed to the happiness of those they left behind. 
Meanwhile, battles have been fought, victories won, and 
defeats sustained, but all causing distress far and wide 
through the loss of life occasioned. Yet, of all this distress 
we, in this community, have known and had but little, 
through its effects among us. In this Congregation we 
have hitherto had none ; and perhaps have not been suffi- 
ciently thankfuL For the first time, we have now been, 
especially visited. Of the ten members of this Parish who 
have volunteered, to say nothing of four others connected 
with us through- their families, and all but two of whom 
are still in the service, the Deceased has been the only one 
whose death has brought war and some of its terrible effects 
home to us. We have heard of such losses. We have 
known of some in our neighborhood ; nor, I trust, have we 
been wanting in sympathy for those who have elsewhere 
been bereaved. But its circle of feeling has been narrowed; 
or, as it is better to say, we have been drawn together in 
mourning nearer to what is its centre for us. And, we feel 
the present loss all the more, doubtless, because for several 
weeks we have lived in alternations of hopes and fears for 
this young man's life. 

Our hopes, which were many and growing, have been 
disappointed ; our fears, also many but diminishing, have 
been realized. He has gone hence, his last battle fought, 
and, we trust, his vici^^ory won. And I do not say this 
lightly. I do not speak thus, in customary phrase, as aiming 
merely to offer consolation. I do not speak thus, as if 



believing that, whilst it is "sweet and honorable to die for 
one's country," such a death is necessarily a passport to the 
Paradise above. A battle-field, although suggestive of 
solemn thoughts during its intervals of inaction, is not neces- 
sarily the scene of miracles, or works, of grace. Its bap- 
tisms of blood are not necessarily a regeneration unto ever- 
lasting life. And if it be true, (as it is, since our Lord said 
it,) that "it must needs be that offences come, but wo to that 
man by whom the offence cometh," what a burden must 
rest upon any who, in times like these, of insubordination 
and rebellion on the one hand, and possibly of selfish ambi- 
tion on the other, have, through their mischievous errors 
there, and here their as mischievous schemes, hastened 
hence one soul unprepared. Could the whole world be 
mine, God forbid my seeking it at such a price. Whatever 
way He may have of somehow making such a loss good to 
one thus suddenly called, for the world I would not be the 
man, or one of a set of men, to occasion it. At the same 
time, there is here suggested a thought respecting every 
one's responsibility, which we should all of us remember in 
connection with the teaching of our words and examples ; 
and also the importance of being always ready for any 
event that can take us out of this world suddenly, here in 
our homes as well as on the field of battle. Our business 
is, to be ready always. We should live, as with our lives 
in our hands, and prepared to ineet our God, let Him bring 
His visitations upon us, when, in whatever way, or through 
whatever means He will. Let us remember, that we are 
all in His hand, — that, as "not even a sparrow falls to the 
ground without our Heavenly Father," so "the very hairs 
of our head are numbered." And, if we have made Him 
our Friend, — I should say, if we have become His friends, 
what have we to fear on being called hence to meet Him ? 
Meanwhile, our prayer for all (as well as for ourselves,) 
should be, that all may be so prepared for, and "take. His 
visitations, that after this painful life ended they may dwell 
with Him in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord." 

I said, a moment ago, speaking of this our young Broth- 
er departed, that he had "gone hence, his last battle fought. 



and, we trust, his victory won." Nor was this said in the 
way of substituting evidences of patriotism for piety, or 
love of country for the love of God, or duty done to it for 
duty done to Him. All honor to those who have devoted 
themselves to their conntry's cause, who have bled and died 
for it. The heart must be cold indeed that can withhold 
its expression of honor for any such. But our God, whilst 
He has assigned us duties here, would liave us look beyond, 
and prepare for a "kingdom not of this world/' Earthly 
kingdoms of all descriptions shall perish, but the kingdom 
which is not of this world endureth forever. 

Why, then, as 1 have twice said, do we trust ? 

If 1 remember rightly, I have somewhere seen the re- 
mark, certainly it is a true one, that every one has a history 
which, were it written, would reveal great aims and strug- 
gles and efiorts, such as in our superficial view of men's 
lives altogether escape notice. So, the world's whole his- 
tory has never been wi'itten, and cannot be, by man. There 
is a secret life of which no one is conscious but ourselves 
and our God ; and, even from ourselves much of it is hid- 
den. Then, there is a history which is known only to our 
families and intimate friends, who draw their inferences as 
to what we are, from thoughts casually expressed and 
incidents known to them, but of wliich the world at large 
knows nothing : and, therefore, it cannot form a correct 
judgment respecting the whole actual life. It judges 
simply from what appears, abroad. And, whilst M'hat 
thus appears may be worthy of honor, there is often that 
which does not manifest itself to every eye, but yet is 
worthy of more honor. It is upon these private facts, in- 
cidents, or sayings, that friends love to dwell, remembering 
them in the hour of affliction, and not forgetting them 
when the first pang is over. And if, when we are gone, 
they can dwell upon additional evidences of our having 
aimed to make our peace with our Maker, — upon the fact 
that we have gone hence, with a lively sense of our own 
unworthiness, but yet trusting in the mercy of Him Who 
sent His Son to die for us all, this is the crowning comfort. 
The wound of their present loss aches, its scar remains, but 
there is a halo about it brightening and extending forth into 



a bright world where all is light and joy and peace, — free- 
dom from pain for them and for us. The comfort of such 
a thought and fact is often necessary, or, if not necessary, is 
always welcome, and comes "with healing in its wings," as 
they float back from thence. It is as a Spirit of light brood- 
ing upon the face of the deep. 

But now, to answer our question, Why do we trust ? 

Upon the first call to arms, when many were roused by 
the danger which threatened our country, our young Friend 
said, "I am going." And he went, determined to act the 
part of a man in the field that opened before him, to take 
a new departure, to make a new beginning. He had in 
him the elements of a soldier whatever might be his rank, 
whether as leading or led. Discouraged as he must have 
been, by obstacles not of his own raising, in the outset of 
his new career, he persevered, evidently gaining the good 
will of those over whom he was placed, and of others with 
wliom he was brought into contact. Of this we have had 
abundant advices. He was impulsive and impetuous in dis- 
position ; far from faultless, but altogether frank, and open to 
remonstrance and kindly persuasion. He seems to have been 
naturally fearless, to have had the courage which, as waiting 
for the coming of a conflict, is no less if not greater than that 
which rushes into the strife. It was thus, whilst waiting 
for orders near Fredericksburgh, although not engaged in 
the battle which ended so disastrously, the purpose for 
which it was begun being defeated, that he received the 
wound from the effects of which he died. How much he 
suffered, how he kept up his courage, and encouraged his 
friends with hopes, and not unreasonable hopes, of recovery, 
is known to many of us ; although they may have been 
hopes the more strongiy presented, from that desire to 
spare the absent pain which also made him unwilling to be 
burdensome to his attendants during his sickness. Except 
tliat of home he had every care, which he thankfully ac- 
cepted, apd as gratefully acknowledged. And, he had one 
advantage that does not tall to the lot of many who go 
forth to battle, and never return from the field. He had 
time to die. He had time for thoughts of accountability to 
God, not, as we learn, altogether new or first occurring up- 



8 

on his sick-bed ; and which served, as we believe, to his 
better preparation for that world in which all conflicts are 
over. And, so far as I ever can say it, as an expression of 
hope, and trust, I say it now to those who most need it, 
' Be comforted.' Into all the reasons for such expression 
and such comfort, I will not here enter, considering the last 
moments of life and their incidents sacred legacies to 
immediate and surrounding friends. Yet, this much I will 
add, partl}^ as indicating reasons for our trustfulness, 
partly as showing our young Brother's compliance with the 
words of our Saviour, " Whosoever shall confess Me before 
men, him will I also confess before My Father which is in 
Heaven." To one of my Eev. Brethren, a friend of the 
deceased who had given him good counsel on his leaving 
home to engage in the duties of his military life, and who 
visited him in the Hospital at Georgetown, he expressed his 
wish to live, but also his willingness to die if such were the 
will of our Heavenly Father. For, as another Rev. Brother 
could tell, he had not given up the hope of continuing the 
course of life which he had chosen. On the day before his 
death, fully conscious of the benefit and bearing of the act 
in which he was about to engage, in the highest solemnity 
of our Religion, through receiving the Sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper he finally and for all renewed the vows of 
his Baptism and Confirmation, thus also confessing Christ. 
Nor is it less to be noted that, subsequently, in all humility, 
he expressed the feeling of having been unworthy of such 
a communion with our Lord. Worthy ? O our God \ 
who is ? or, who could venture upon such n communion, 
were it not that it was designed for such as come to it, " not 
trusting in their own righteousness, but in Thy manifold 
and great mercies " ? 

Need I add more, of the much that could be added ? I 
have already said more than I intended. And, if what has 
been said contribute to your all setting your house in order 
at once, since we can not possibly know what, or how long, 
our future here is to be, all has been said that any can need 
to hear. 

May God give us His blessing, now and forever, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 



frut.<uyvJzjL^^'^'^ ^^"y^^^^ A (s^i^^. n^^ 



ADDRESS 



AT THE BURIAL SERVICES OF THE LATB 



GEOR&E SIBBALD WILSON, 



ADJUTANT OF THE 17TH EEGT. N. Y. S. V., 



In %\, laul's C(rurct 



POUGHKEEPSIE. 



of Cc 



.^^,avv o. uon^, 



■/IB 



BY REV. A. D. TEAVER, D. D., 

RECTOR OF ST. PADl's CHURCH. 



PRINTED BY REQDKST. 



/ 



08B0RNB & OTIS, PRINTERS. 
1863. 



